Luis Rubiales has informed a court docket that Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso gave her consent earlier than he kissed her on the Ladies’s World Cup remaining in 2023.
The previous president of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) is on trial accused of sexual assault and trying to coerce Ms Hermoso into publicly saying the kiss had been consensual.
Giving proof, Mr Rubiales, 47, stated he was “completely certain” the participant gave permission for the kiss, including: “In that second it was one thing utterly spontaneous.”
The incident occurred throughout the medal-giving ceremony after Spain’s World Cup win in Australia, triggering protests and requires Mr Rubiales’s resignation. He denies any prison wrongdoing.
Mr Rubiales described the kiss as “an act of affection” to Spain’s Nationwide Court docket in Madrid on Tuesday.
“Jenni embraced me,” he stated.
“I’ve recognized her for a few years and I kissed her as a result of she was a champion. This was an incredible second for her. We had been champions, we had been thanking one another.
“She pressed me very laborious by the waist after which I requested her whether or not I may give her a kiss and he or she stated sure.”
He added: “I took maintain of her in order to not fall again.”
Mr Rubiales was questioned in court docket over whether or not he requested Ms Hermoso for a kiss or a “little kiss”.
“I can not keep in mind precisely,” he replied. “However I believe it was a little bit kiss.”
He was additionally requested if he was conscious of the protocol in opposition to sexual harassment and sexual violence, to which he replied he was conscious of it.
Ms Hermoso has beforehand informed the court docket she had by no means given permission to be kissed and the incident had “stained one of many happiest days of my life”.
The Spain ahead stated: “My boss was kissing me, and this should not occur in any social or work setting.”
She added: “A kiss on the lips is simply given after I resolve so.”
Ms Hermoso stated she was pulled apart quickly after the kiss and requested to consent to a press release minimising the incident, which she refused to do.
Mr Rubiales then requested her to report a video with him on the flight dwelling as a result of he was being accused of assault on social media, she informed the court docket. She stated she had obtained loss of life threats which prompted her to maneuver her household to Mexico, the place she now performs.
ReutersAn knowledgeable in lip studying informed the court docket on Tuesday that Mr Rubiales requested Ms Hermoso “can I offer you a kiss?” based mostly on video footage the place the participant’s face couldn’t be seen.
Mr Rubiales conceded he “made a mistake” on the rostrum and that his behaviour “was not acceptable”, saying he ought to have “been in a extra institutional function”, however denied any offence had been dedicated.
He stated the media consideration the incident has attracted was “ridiculous”, including that Ms Hermoso by no means reproached him over the kiss at any level within the instant aftermath of the incident.
Mr Rubiales resigned in September 2023 after FIFA suspended him and Spanish prosecutors opened an investigation.
Three of his former colleagues are additionally on trial accused of colluding within the alleged coercion: Jorge Vilda, coach of the World Cup-winning facet, Rubén Rivera, the federation’s former head of promoting, and former sporting director, Albert Luque.
All 4 defendants deny the fees in opposition to them.
Prosecutors are in search of a two-and-half yr jail time period for Rubiales. The trial, which runs till 19 February, continues.
